NASA aims to have the construction of its Lunar outpost completed by 2020, or near operational.
2020 time frame is realistic.
Professor Foing added that a new generation of human space exploration was a realistic goal.
"It is within the reach of our generation, or our children's generation, where we will be able to start a civilisation that will be a 'double planet' system on Earth and on the Moon.
"This sort of vision could really inspire the public to innovate, which is the ingredient needed to save societies from decline."
